This week’s blogger is Emily Robitschek, a proud graduate of Arvada West High School near Denver, Colorado. In this post she reports about her research project that she conducted while she worked in the GLOBE Program Office in the summer of 2011 as part of a high school research internship program (HIRO) at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research. To read about her experience in this program, see her blog post from 28 March 2012. Emily just graduated from high school in May 2012 and is planning to attend Colorado State University in August.
The current mountain pine beetle outbreak spanning Colorado and southern Wyoming (previously reported on in this blog) has spread to 4 million acres since 1996 making it the largest recorded epidemic in these areas. Tree canopy loss within stands of affected pine trees is a symptom of this epidemic. Part of the loss occurs during the “red phase,” wherein the trees still retain red needles, and the remaining loss occurs during the “gray phase,” wherein the trees have shed all of their needles and some small branches. While these visually dramatic effects of the beetle epidemic are evident, how it influences specific environmental factors, such as hydrology and transmittance of solar radiation, is less understood.
Healthy pine forest near Niwot Ridge, Colorado (Photo taken by Steve Miller/CIRES)
Example of a beetle-affected pine forest (Photo from the Denver Post)
Research is underway to comprehend any potential effects the pine beetle epidemic has on the environments in which it is prevalent. One such project, which I worked on during my summer internship with GLOBE, focused on studying solar radiation in affected and unaffected tree stands. A change in solar radiation transmittance through the canopy can have effects on the snowpack accumulation (or ablation), surface sensible and latent heat fluxes, and other energy and water balance parameters. To quantify and compare the levels of solar radiation transmitted through healthy pine canopies with transmittance through trees affected by pine beetles, we used data from pyranometers (instruments that measure solar radiation) to analyze healthy sites and a red phase site.
Our study found that, on average, the ratio of the solar radiation recorded by sensors that were placed directly under the canopy (“under”) to those placed in nearby open tree clearings (“open”) was closer to unity at the red phase site. This indicates that nearly the same amount of solar radiation was transmitted through the trees as was transmitted through the relatively treeless clearings. On the other hand, this ratio was reduced at most healthy sites, indicating that less solar radiation was being transmitted through the healthy tree canopies. Similar results were found by comparing the amount of solar radiation received at the top of the tree canopies (using pyranometer data from an instrumented tower) compared to that received below the tree canopies (the “under” sensors).
A pyranometer sensor under the tree canopy (Courtesy: Dave Gochis/NCAR)
Thus, our results imply that more solar radiation was transmitted through the red phase canopy, perhaps due to its loss of needles. However, these results do not prove that pine needle loss caused more solar radiation to be transmitted. There are several other factors that could have led to these results that need to be considered, such as forest tree density, instrument placement, and other site specific details (i.e. altitude, slope angle, etc). Furthermore, additional sites need to be analyzed in order to more firmly establish these results and understand the variability within the various tree stands. Nonetheless, if the tree stands affected by pine beetles do allow more solar radiation to reach the ground below their canopies, that could lead to more snow melting and ultimately have effects on water storage and the hydrological and energy cycles in the region.
When beetles kill the trees, they impact the local land cover. Are there changes happening to your local land cover and if so, what effects of land cover change have you noticed in your community? Send us an email at science@globe.gov or post a comment to let us know!
Trees are important. Save the trees!
Interesting blog. i grew up in the pulp-wood industry and we harvested pines and hardwoods. 4 million acres, i did not realize that there was such an epidemic of the pine beetle.
Nice research!! Some steps should be taken at earliest to save trees from beetles.
We Have Save Tree Why Did,nt Government Start Any Project Related to save trees
I am a native Coloradoan and to see the damage that the Pine Beetle has done to our forests is heart wrenching. I think that few people understand that if we find a way to “spray” for the Pine Beetle we would then in turn be damaging other important ecosystems at the same time. This is a tremendously complicated issue. I had not even contemplated the fact that the thinner canopy would had and effect upon the snow pack and all of those ensuing issues. Climate change is a real issue that is happening. I do not understand how some don’t recognized it as such.
I cannot help but wonder if the pine beetle epidemic and it’s affect on the temperature of the forest floor is adding to the rapid spread of the forest fires in Colorado right now. Between the two issues of global climate change and the pine beetles we are forcing a huge change upon natural habitats.
So sad. Do these beetles have a natural predator? Is there a way to cut back their population naturally?
It is our understanding that the natural predators of the beetles are woodpeckers or some parasitic insects, yet the beetle population has gotten so large that it has been difficult for the natural predators and control methods to keep up.
Your article is great it gives me a lot of useful information about beetles and trees
Interesting article. We have Ash Dieback in the United Kingdom and it’s sadly killing thousands of 1000-year-old Ash trees. Some trees aren’t affected by the disease whereas some are.
I supposed with beetles they are far harder to spread than an infection like Ash Dieback?
Regards,
Hugh
England
Thanks a lot regarding sharing your site, it is really beneficial. Between two issues associated with world wide local weather adjust along with the pine beetles we have been driving an enormous adjust with normal habitats.
Its difficult to imagine in the event that this specific woods have ended. They varies our lifestyles without having them were almost nothing. Let us aid one another to be able to maintain them til the following age group.
Tree is life, we really need to protect them.
I’m always sad when I see what we do with them sometimes !
Is there any news regarding preventing pine die back? Is it now under control? In the UK we have just felled a lot of ash (which is hardwood) and now it’s in very limited supply.
Unfortunately, it is not yet under control. The pine beetles are actually headed up to higher elevations now and seem to still be going strong (http://www.news.wisc.edu/21388). Some prevention methods like solar treatments (csfs.colostate.edu/pdfs/mpbsolar.pdf) and sprays are being done, but they are time and labor intensive and expensive. So, they are mainly being done near homes, buildings, and privately owned forests. We will know more about how this winter impacted the pine beetles in a few months, but since we didn’t get the cold temperatures needed, it is likely that they will still be around for a while. This would be a good update for our Trees in Trouble series!
-Julie Malmberg
A very interesting read. One question still remains unanswered to me. How were the beetles introduced or are they the product of nature. Nature has its own balance and for the population of the beetles to explode, might there be another unrelated reason altogether.
The pine beetles are native to the Rocky Mountain forests actually. Some of the explanations for the explosion in their population have to do with climate factors. See our previous blog post about this (Climate Change and Pine Beetles at http://globe.gov/explore-science/scientists-blog/archived-posts/sciblog/2012/04/25/trees-in-trouble-climate-change-and-pine-beetles/). There is also more information about the pine beetle at the Colorado State Extension office website: http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05528.html
Mountain pine beetles affect pine trees by laying eggs under the bark. The beetles introduce blue stain fungus into the sapwood that prevents the tree from repelling and killing the attacking beetles with tree pitch flow. The fungus also blocks water and nutrient transport within the tree. Solar radiation can kill this pest. As well pheromone baiting has shown to be effective that is luring beetles into trees baited with a synthetic hormone that mimics the scent of a female beetle. Beetles can then be contained in a single area, where they can more easily be destroyed.
I had not even contemplated the fact that the thinner canopy would had and effect upon the snow pack and all of those ensuing issues.
Wow, I had no idea of the scale of this problem. Those photos are striking. Also very interesting how issues like canopy depletion effect snow pack. It’s almost like it’s all a system or something.
Great post ! I enjoy reading . Thanks for sharing with us .
Methods have to be really done to stop these and save the trees. This is a nice post because it creates an awareness about this issue.
That is so sad.. The photos have such visual impact. Was going to ask what the predator was but seen someone else had asked that and you had commented… Just wondering what the state of this is now?
There must be a natural active ingredient which these parasites may be suppressed … The technical implementation of course cause more headaches. It would be best if we could find a natural species, to protect the trees.
In the human being’s development race, nature (trees) plays an important role. It makes me sad when I read, how we keep destroying our own nature.
We all should contribute to take care for nature and therefore the trees.
We are very concerned with taking care of nature but sometimes all the effort is a bit useless but this should not discourage us and we have to keep fighting to save the planet.
the concern about forest and tree is not only one concern for one country but its responsibility for all humankind need to get special treatment, recently in my country forest in Riau province get burn and the smoke were make pollution not only at riau but include malaysia and singapore, most of citizen must wearing masker because the air is too foggy
The Pine Beetle is a nasty little critter. The can reproduce so quickly and the results are there to see in the pictures. The canopy depletion effect still seems to be a bit of an unknown quantum.
Interesting blog. I grew up near a pulp-wood industry facility…. 4 million acres, i did not realize that there was such an epidemic of the pine beetle.
I wonder whether these pine beetle outbreaks have anything to do with climate change and if they will get worse in the future? Bad sign, certainly won’t help to sequester CO2 thats for sure.
I knew the declining tree population was a problem, but I had no idea it might be leading to an increase in solar radiation. I’m definitely going to dig deeper in finding out if there are similar issues in my area.
Is there any natural way to protect the trees from these pine beetles?
I think it’s way better to use natural means of protection because of environment.
It is so lucky to read your blog,it is full of useful message.I wish we both can do better in the future.
Yes indeed, trees are very important. they are a great asset for our future. please save the trees. Btw nice pictures :p
I know this post was written over a year ago. Is there any update on the pine bettle epidemic? Very informative post!
something needs to be done before we don’t have anymore trees
There Should be a Protection Program me with adequate Staff and Infrastructure thus Enabling the Protection of Tree which are the Source of Life and Food to the World.
Wow! A simple study of a natural system and immediately the effects although measurably become hard to analyse. This is such a good lesson in how climatic effects that seem fairly obvious on first sight so often turn-out to be hard to quantify. I was thinking that although you have suggested that snow-melt might be accelerated due to increasing sunlight at ground level, on average the temperature at ground level in winter might be lower, especially at night and when cloudy, due to reduced shelter from tree cover and a higher ground level wind cover. Also, if much of the snow melts while the snow is still caught in the trees when a warm-front blow through, it might melt faster in the healthy forest where more snow would be expected to be held in the tree cover and not on the ground.
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interesting subject, thanks
thanks
Interesting research. Having lived in Conifer, on the Colorado Rockies, this post brings back thoughts of the beauty of this region.
Having lived in Bettle infested areas and seeing the devastation and impact on the economy, it’s incredible sad. Thanks for the post.
the bees are not the issue here.
the future is kind of horror movie
Go green. Save the trees
we have to take care of nature!
Is any natural predator, against these beetles?
Nice and interesting Post!
Its not only about pine trees. Many other kinds are also in indenger.
Your post is informative and well written keep updating.
Scary thought to think that these beetles could potentially wipe out all of the Pine trees in Colorado and Wyoming! I wonder how far they will spread before something changes?
I think when beetles kill the trees, they impact the local land cover. And do these beetles have a natural predator?